II 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 204 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 26, 2011 Mr. Begich introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to permit funds in the Oil Spill Liability Trust to be used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Coast Guard, and other Federal agencies for certain research, prevention, and response capabilities with respect to discharges of oil, for environmental studies, and for grant programs to communities affected by oil spills on the outer Continental Shelf, and to provide funding for such uses and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Resources for Oil Spill Research and Prevention Act.

2.

Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund

(a)

Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate

(1)

In general

Subparagraph (B) of section 4611(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting except as provided in paragraph (3) before the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate. (2)

Additional rate on crude oil

Paragraph (2) of section 4611(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3)

Additional rate on crude oil

In the case of crude oil on which a tax is imposed under subsection (a)(1) or (b), the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate under paragraph (2)(B) shall be increased by— (A)in the case of domestic crude oil, 3 cents a barrel, and (B)in the case of any other crude oil, 7 cents a barrel. . (3)

Repeal of termination

Section 4611 of such Code is amended by striking subsection (f). (4)

Effective date

The amendments made by this subsection shall take effect on the first day of the first calendar quarter after the date of enactment of this Act. (b)

Reference to Oil Pollution Act of 1990

Section 9509(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking on the date of the enactment of this subsection and inserting on the date of the enactment of the Resources for Oil Spill Research and Prevention Act.

3.

Uses of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund

Section 1012(a) of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2712(a)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (5)(C), by striking and at the end; (2)in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (3)by adding at the end the following: (7)with respect to amounts in the Fund attributable taxes received under section 4611(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986— (A)the payment of costs incurred by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Coast Guard, and other Federal agencies in maintaining research, prevention, and response capabilities with respect to discharges of oil; (B)the payment of costs incurred in carrying out environmental assessment studies; and (C)the provision of grants to affected States, communities, institutions of higher education, and other entities for use in carrying out research relating to discharges of oil on the outer Continental Shelf of the United States. .